Birthstone of the Nation

White House Stone Carving Uncovered

The White House was first painted in 1798. Thereafter, it was painted about every four years for the new president. In the 1980s through the 1990s the White House underwent a paint removal process and an Aquia stone restoration project. After 42 layers of paint were removed from the entrance at the North Portico, it revealed the rich stone carving. The quality of the carving with intricate details reveal superb craftsmanship and the beauty of the Stafford stone. (Later on, the White House was painted with a specially designed Duron paint that only requires repainting approximately every ten years.) (Jack E. Boucher photo, Historic American Buildings Survey)